“We are not worth more, they are not worth less.” This is the mantra of S. Brian Willson and the theme that runs throughout his compelling psycho-historical memoir. Willson’s story begins in small-town, rural America, where he grew up as a “Commie-hating, baseball-loving Baptist,” moves through life-changing experiences in Viet Nam, Nicaragua and elsewhere, and culminates with his commitment to a localized, sustainable lifestyle. In telling his story, Willson provides numerous examples of the types of personal, risk-taking, nonviolent actions he and others have taken in attempts to educate and effect political change: tax refusal—which requires simplification of one’s lifestyle; fasting—done publicly in strategic political and/or therapeutic spiritual contexts; and obstruction tactics—strategically placing one’s body in the way of “business as usual.” It was such actions that thrust Brian Willson into the public eye in the mid-’80s, first as a participant in a high-profile, water-only “Veterans Fast for Life” against the Contra war being waged by his government in Nicaragua. Then, on a fateful day in September 1987, the world watched in horror as Willson was run over by a U.S. government munitions train during a nonviolent blocking action in which he expected to be removed from the tracks and arrested. Losing his legs only strengthened Willson’s identity with millions of unnamed victims of U.S. policy around the world. He provides details of his travels to countries in Latin America and the Middle East and bears witness to the harm done to poor people as well as to the environment by the steamroller of U.S. imperialism. These heart-rending accounts are offered side by side with inspirational stories of nonviolent struggle and the survival of resilient communities Willson’s expanding consciousness also uncovers injustices within his own country, including insights gained through his study and service within the U.S. criminal justice system and personal experiences addressing racial injustices. He discusses coming to terms with his identity as a Viet Nam veteran and the subsequent service he provides to others as director of a veterans outreach center in New England. He draws much inspiration from friends he encounters along the way as he finds himself continually drawn to the path leading to a simpler life that seeks to “do no harm.&rdquo Throughout his personal journey Willson struggles with the question, “Why was it so easy for me, a ’good’ man, to follow orders to travel 9,000 miles from home to participate in killing people who clearly were not a threat to me or any of my fellow citizens?” He eventually comes to the realization that the “American Way of Life” is AWOL from humanity, and that the only way to recover our humanity is by changing our consciousness, one individual at a time, while striving for collective cultural changes toward “less and local.” Thus, Willson offers up his personal story as a metaphorical map for anyone who feels the need to be liberated from the American Way of Life—a guidebook for anyone called by conscience to question continued obedience to vertical power structures while longing to reconnect with the human archetypes of cooperation, equity, mutual respect and empathy.
Only available from:www.diane-carter-speaking-publishing.com.auLife is one great adventure and you have it in the power of your mind to make it the greatest adventure of all time. You only have one life, so it is up to you to make it the best you can. My life has been stupendous and it just seems to keep getting better and better, it is only now that I realize why. It's because I have always had Mindset Energy - thewill and the determination to get up and go.Our energy determines how we feel, how we think and how we act.These three together make up our attitude. By choosing a positive attitude,you create positive waves of energy, which attract more of the same so your positive choice sets you on the path to a fulfilling, happy and prosperous life.It is totally your choice that determines your life, so you need to be very aware of how you react or respond to the situations you find yourself in.'Dare to Live' will help you to realise that you do have choices and you can lead a successful and fulfilling life. Its powerful stories will show you howto make the best choices possible to be able to reach your goals and make your dreams come true.Dare to Live - Trust Yourself is telling wonderfully inspiring stories of life, narrated by the very people who lived through them. It is easy to be swept away by admiration for their courage and determination. These storiesdrill to the core of the human condition and bring into focus the boundless potential that lies within each person's mind. The stories will encourageyou to start nurturing your own Mindset Energy, the stuff of legends we hear and read about, the inner strengths that can propel a human beingto overcome adversity and incredible odds, to carry on with life and make it even better. As human beings, we are blessed with the ability to make choices. The stories told in this book will leave you in no doubt that it is your attitude that is the key to getting the most out of life." After having the privilege of meeting Diane in person and listening to her tell her stories, I quickly realized that she is one-of-a-kind... sent to this world to share her stories of courage, perseverance and humility with all who have ever questioned their own true potential to succeed. Diane's "strength in adversity" is truly admirable, and if her stories don't motivate you to go after whatever it is you truly want from this life, then nothing will. The human race can learn much from wonderful people like Diane Carter.Rocky Warren Author "The Fighter Within""Dare to live takes you on an emotional journey to rediscovering what really matters in life.The author faced death and despair head on and dared to live, and as she suggests, we do the same. This is a book that you will not forget"Steve Siebold, Author " 177 mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class
This book does not offer any miracles, although it does offer a better opportunity for someone to get results, for one who is prepared to get out of the victim role and take a positive step into seeing what they can do for themselves. By reading this book, you will realise the significance of continuous learning. And that’s how philosophy tries to discover the nature of truth and knowledge, to find what is of basic value and importance in life. This is about the relationships between humanity and nature and between the individual and the society.
After serving in the Vietnam War, S. Brian Willson became a radical, nonviolent peace protester and pacifist, and this memoir details the drastic governmental and social change he has spent his life fighting for. Chronicling his personal struggle with a government he believes to be unjust, Willson sheds light on the various incarnations of his protests of the U.S. government, including the refusal to pay taxes, public fasting, and, most famously, public obstruction. On September 1, 1987, Willson was run over by a U.S. government munitions train during a nonviolent blocking action in which he expected to be removed from the tracks. Providing a full look into the tragic event, Willson, who lost his legs in the incident, discusses how the subsequent publicity propelled his cause toward the national consciousness. Now, 23 years later, Willson tells his story of social injustice, nonviolent struggle, and the so-called American way of life.
I was recently in a brainstorming session with market research and R&D managers at a Fortune 50 client. The marketing manager turns to the R&D technical lead and asks, “can you give me a list of all possible technologies out there?” She was speaking the language of high level summary of the universe of possibilities. The technical lead, on the other hand, translated it as “give me information on the technologies we are capable of delivering in the near future.” Simple miscommunication? Little business impact? Not if you’re trying to stretch the innovation possibilities and the R&D lead disqualifi es longer term technologies because they’re not ready now. That’s one reason why innovation at some companies looks like the same old stuff re-packaged.
Bearin's: The Book " by Brian Robbins is a collection of columns written for "Commercial Fisheries News" over the past 20 years. These author selected columns are the best of Robbins' unique blend of humor, wry observations, and personal reflections on life. Originally written for a commercial fishing audience, these columns encompass characters, situations, and themes that are bound to resonate with all readers. He'll make you laugh, maybe even shed a tear, and definitely leave you wanting more.Bearin's (bar'ins)-When you're on the water, the act of figuring out where you are and what's going on is known as "getting your bearings." The same applies to life itself. In the Northeast, we often don't fuss around with the letter "g" at the ends of our words. Therefore, we have the title "Bearin's".Reviews:"I invite you to put your hand on the cover of this book, close your eyes and see if you can feel its heart beating. If you do, then try laughing a bit, too. Now you're in the spirit of Brian Robbins, telling his tales that will make you laugh so hard you'll have to lay down on the couch, but eventually he'll also get you right where it counts as you feel his spirit in the depths of your heart." Randy Olson, Ph.D. (a.k.a. "Doc Urchin"); scientist-turned-filmmaker; author of Don't Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style"Brian Robbins' tales are hysterically accurate, showing great humor in the mishaps and misadventures of dockside denizens." Crash Barry; author of Sex, Drugs and Blueberries and Matinicus: True Stories from Maine's Toughest Island
I have often thought how wonderful it would have been if any of my grandparents, not to mention my great grandparents, had jotted down some of their thoughts, experiences and accumulated wisdom on paper for me to read, irrespective of how trivial or mind-blowing they may have been. I could have gleamed a glimpse as to who they were and how they thought, even though they died long before I was born in most cases. I really feel the void of not having known them. This book is an attempt to correct that omission and is written for the benefit of my kin still to come.
The Lost History of Tenderness is Brian Jordan's exploration of thought, religion, belief and love. His superb stories are uniquely illustrated, presenting the reader with a sumptuous visual and literary experience. A meditation upon life and the human condition, this book is one that will touch readers deeply as they dive into the beauty and wonder of its pages.
A newborn’s absent face appears on the back of someone else’s head, a filmmaker goes to gruesome lengths to achieve the silence he’s after for his final scene, and a therapist begins, impossibly, to appear in a troubled patient's room late at night. In these stories of doubt, delusion, and paranoia, no belief, no claim to objectivity, is immune to the distortions of human perception. Here, self-deception is a means of justifying our most inhuman impulses—whether we know it or not.
This is a complete record of the blogs posted on the website: brianacurtis.com.au (and other social media) in 2018. They include sermons, devotions, children's talks, questions, and other comments. In order to maintain the integrity of the material, the posts have not been edited or corrected. They have not been updated to correct any errors (theological or grammatical). They simply appear here in the ?raw?, in the state in which they were first published.
Thank you for visiting our website. Would you like to provide feedback on how we could improve your experience?
This site does not use any third party cookies with one exception — it uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic.Learn More.